Timothy and Katherine Arnold of Lopez Island were charged with multiple counts of county code violations, public nuisance and financial penalties for failure to clean up their property.
They were served a 20-day summons on Oct. 2 but did not answer or appear before the court. On Dec. 16, the San Juan County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed a motion for an order on default judgment, meaning Judge Kathryn Loring would rule without the defendants present. The county requested $19,500, which includes legal fees and statutory costs.
Before the Dec. 30 hearing on the motion for default judgment, the Arnolds entered into a compliance plan. San Juan County Department of Community Development will monitor their progress. If the couple fails to comply, the county will continue with the case.
Details about the charges
The Arnolds’ land on Center Road is located in an area designated as rural farm forest. San Juan County has received multiple complaints regarding the property since 2008.
DCD received a code enforcement request in July 2002 about extensive outdoor storage of household goods, tools, equipment, small appliances and junk vehicles on the parcel. DCD conducted an investigation, issued a Note of Correction detailing the violations and requested a corrective plan. The defendants gave no response.
In July 2023, DCD received another code enforcement request for an unpermitted storage yard and junk yard on the property. A letter requesting a compliance plan was sent. After no response, DCD issued a Notice of Violation.
Another letter was sent in November alerting the defendants to the Dec. 1, 2023, compliance deadline. The defendants asked for an extension. DCD walked the property with the Arnolds in March 2024 and established monthly check-ins to confirm progress toward compliance. Subsequent site visits noted negligible improvements. A new notice of violation was sent in April 2025.
In May, the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office sent a letter to the Arnolds notifying them of the County’s intent to pursue legal action if they failed to meet the cleanup requirements. DCD visited the site in July and again in September; no improvements had been made, and the property remained an outdoor storage yard.
